Jay Slater search update as police say ‘everything is pointing’ to one thing

Jay Slater’s body appears to be “very deteriorated”, according to local police, but evidence points to a very likely cause of death.

The 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer from Lancashire, was reported missing on June 17 while on holiday in Tenerife.

The body, dicovered by the Spanish Civil Guard, was reportedly found near to where Jay’s phone last pinged with his possessions and clothing, including identification.

On Tuesday police confirmed it to be the missing teen.

“In reference to the British citizen Jay Slater, the autopsy with the full identification of the body and the causes of death will take time, because the body was very deteriorated,” officials previously said.

“But there is very little doubt about both the identity and the etiology. The documentation he was carrying corresponds to that of Jay Slater and everything is pointing to an accidental fall, although that is unofficial pending the final reports.

“The court is saying the official identification will not be known until next week.”

This comes as crushing news for Jay’s family, who had been searching for their relative for the past 29 days.

“The whole family is absolutely broken”, a family spokesman told MailOnline.

“They are devastated. It’s not the outcome they were hoping for. Initially they thought how could he be so close and yet be missed but now having seen the location they appreciate the remoteness of it and there is no criticism of the search.

“It looks as if he fell from a height so he would most likely have been killed instantly and he wasn’t there for a long time.”

Jay Slater’s friend Lucy Law, who travelled with him to Tenerife, wrote an emotional tribute on her Instagram, remebering Jay as the “happiest and most smiley person”.

“Honestly lost for words”, she wrote. “Always the happiest and most smiley person in the room, you was one of a kind Jay and you’ll be missed more than you know. I’m sure you’ll ‘have your dancing shoes polished and ready’ waiting for us all. We all love you buddy. Fly high.”

Jay’s other friend and travel companion, Brad Hargreaves, also shared on social media: “Nothing be the same without you. Rest easy brother. Love you always.”